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France cancel out their opener with an own goal, Dropping 2 points in World Cup Qualifier at the Stade De France versus Romania

September 7th, 2009 | By: jeff | 13 Comments »

France’s lineup was something like this:

Gignac
Henry Gourcuff Anelka
Toulalan Diarra
Evra Escude Gallas Sagna
Lloris

With Henry and Anelka, it was a bit like a 4-2-1-3, but it was essentially the France formation (4-2-3-1).

And although it looks to me like Domenech is picking just about the right players, the team play is lacking fluidity.

To some extent, this is natural for international football. The team only trained together for a week before the match, and in our case, we have Domenech, who’s shown repeatedly that he’s no world beater.

The team lacked fluidity, and the killer final touch, but the performance wasn’t an outrage.

There was some exciting football at times, especially in the first half, with France attacking in numbers, and Gourcuff making some nice passes out to Anelka on the right.

The last two results, a 0-1 victory over Faroe Islands and a 1-1 draw with Romania, were not reassuring, but I don’t think we’re at the rock bottom that we were during Euro 2008 or the beginning of this qualifying campaign.

Gourcuff and Gignac have been welcomed additions. Taking them off against Romania didn’t work very well. Gourcuff, at least, wouldn’t have been the player I would have taken off.

Henry scored the opener from a corner. Gallas won the header from the corner kick, and it fell nicely for Henry to finish.

At the other end, Escude scored an own goal. He was seen gesturing to Lloris that Lloris could’ve helped him out with some shouted information, like, “MINE!” There was no one behind Escude, and he turned a fairly harmless cross into his own net. Lloris and Escude were both at fault. Lloris definitely could have taken control of the situation, and if he wants to keep clean sheets, he’ll have to be more assertive. But Escude is the player who put the cross into his own net.

France should have found a way at home to get a second goal. Henry, who was offside a few times, put a header into the net that was ruled out for offsides, and that was about it from France.

France look like they’re in good position to finish 2nd in the group, and go into playoff against another 2nd place team.

Despite the stuttering performances from France, I’m finding room for optimism. Domenech has always been very slow to make changes, and right now, he’s stumbled upon a group of players and a system that looks like it could work. He’s not likely to ruin the good things in the current setup by making a series of ill-advised changes.

He likes Escude, and now more than ever, Escude has cause to repay that faith. He’s gone with Lloris, and Lloris should have the perfect opportunities to show that his selection is justified.

First place in the group is Serbia’s for the taking. Even if France win against Serbia on Wednesday, Serbia will be group winners if they win their final two matches. If Serbia finish the group with 8 wins and 2 losses, they’ll be deserving group winners. If they slip at all, though, France are positioned to take advantage and win the group. Otherwise, France are in a good position to qualify by finishing 2nd and advancing to the World Cup Finals through a playoff.

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Comments

By Michel-Olivier | September 7th, 2009 at 8:31 am

not a french fan, but best thing to do is to drop the 4-2-3-1 and domench and revert back to 4-4-2.
frey
reveillere-gallas-bodmer-abidal
ribery-gourcuff-toulalan-menez
gignac-henry

Posted from United States

By Kxevin | September 7th, 2009 at 8:40 am

Wow. That’s cold. ^^

In light of the Thierry Henry comments referenced in the match comments post, citing player boredom, lack of direction and general managerial cluelessness, there might be more to hear with the Dumbenech situation.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=674015&sec=worldcup2010&cc=5901

By Kxevin | September 7th, 2009 at 11:28 am

I stand corrected. FFF offcials have said that Dumbenech will remain in place until the Cup business is decided.

By terry from florida | September 7th, 2009 at 12:16 pm

WHY NOT THIS

LLIORIS
SAGNA GALLAS ABIDAL EVRA
DIABY DIARRA
RIBERY GORCUFF HENRY
ANELKA

By Dave Trotter | September 7th, 2009 at 12:27 pm

It will be interesting, but I think there will be some changes, but it won’t happen until after the qualifiers.

The FFF said that they are only looking to qualify, and many French supporters are happy with that result. But I don’t think that ‘just qualifying’ is something that is acceptable for a top-notch team like France.

You have one side blaming the coach because he doesn’t motivate his players, his players are bored and he has questionable starting line-ups (something that has always been Domenech’s weakness).

On the other side, you have a coach and his supporters saying that the players aren’t ‘hungry to win’, show no motivation and that they should be scoring goals. One article on L’Equipe (don’t remember which one) said once the players on France score that first goal, they start thinking “clean sheet”, which lead to a lack of quality and, eventually, an equalizer for Romania.

Still, both sides have their gripes, which I totally understand. But, as of right now, I agree with the players.

Finally, L’Equipe has reported that the ‘atmosphere was great’ in that meeting between coach and players before the match on Friday. No matter what the ‘atmosphere’ is, I think it is safe to say that people aren’t too happy!

By Dave Trotter | September 7th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Not a bad line up Terry. I am a Toulouse supporter myself and have been happy seeing Andre-Pierre Gignac in the starting role. But I think he needs to be starting off the bench.

Still, it is hard for me to ‘make’ a starting lineup without putting in Patrick Vieira!

By Aditya | September 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

who can sack everyone from FFF president to Domenech? Please do so right away.

By Dave Trotter | September 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

Escalettes said basically said that if the team qualifies, he is happy. And, that is all they are trying to do.

Unlike England, who is making a statement in their group by dominating it, thus making them a World Cup favorite, France is just squeaking by. And many think that if they do make it they will lose in the group stage.

By Kxevin | September 7th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

I like Terry From Florida’s lineup. Then you roll out Gignac (great southern town, with a killer marche) and Benzema as a coup de grace, or for instant offense.

I also think that Abidal is vastly more effective on the wing. Maybe Gallas and Escude in center, with Sagna and Abidal on the wings.

By Dave Trotter | September 7th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

I agree with your defensive pairing…keep Abidal on the left wing.

By Thomas | September 7th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

How is Escude one of our best CB’s? Doesn’t Squillaci start in front of him at Sevilla? What about Mexes? even Boumsong.

Posted from United States

By Kxevin | September 7th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

Escude is very solid positionally. I’ve seen too much of Squillaci in the Liga to trust him at the back. But it’s only when his wing is exposed that Escude gets into trouble. Abidal is the cure for that ailment.

But CB is a weakness for us, for sure.

By gfc | September 7th, 2009 at 10:03 pm

I like Terry from Florida having Diaby on the pitch, he is solid tackling midfielder and brings an offensive option currently lacking…however he is too often hurt to rely on him. Not sure about the 4-4-2 mentioned, Gourcuff is much more comfortable in a diamond a the top behind the strikers. Santini tried the same thing with Zidane and botched the Euros in 2004.

As for CB, yes Squillaci should have started, although at Sevilla Escude is the main CB for the spanish side. Mexes, oh well, he has the talent but Domenech has shuffled him in and out of the squad so many times how could he develop a partnership with Gallas.

More of my rant about the game – http://tinyurl.com/mpsw2q

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